News

Cheap burgers are getting harder to find

July 3, 2019

Grabbing a cheap burger isn't easy as it used to be as prices are increasing at a faster rate than the average entree, according to Technomic's 2019 Burger Consumer Trend Report. Customers are paying more for a variety of burger types, including bacon cheeseburgers, veggie burgers and specialty burgers.

"Price increases are offering operators a form of relief as they struggle with rising labor and delivery costs, as well as limited growth through traffic," Charles Winship, manager of consumer insights at Technomic, said in a company press release. "But continued price increases for burgers could ultimately cut into perceptions around their affordability and push consumers toward other options."

The report also found that: 

• 46% of consumers strongly agreed that they've noticed price increases for burgers at restaurants over the past year.
• 44% of millennials said they expect restaurants to offer at least one plant-based burger option.
• 42% of consumers who eat burgers strongly agreed that they have a preferred restaurant they almost always go to for burgers.

The study included responses from more than 1,600 consumers.